You may not have to like the change from Marshall Field's to Macy's - and we know that most of you don't - but they are making good on one promise made during all the hullabaloo after that announcement was made. Federated Department Stores Inc., Macy's parent company, is thisclose to bringing production of Frango mints back to Chicago, fulfilling one of many caveats Federated made to soften the blow of re-naming Marshall Field's Macy's. more ›

Takashi Yagihashi cut his culinary teeth right here in Chicago at Yoshi Café and Ambria before moving off to become executive chef at a restaurant outside Detroit. After a short stint in Las Vegas, and after winning the James Beard award for Best Chef in the Midwest 2003, Yagihashi returned to Chicago yesterday with the opening of a noodle stand on the seventh floor of the State Street Macy’s. Contrary to how that may sound (we don’t think Yagihashi has serious financial problems and is slinging noodles to anyone who’ll buy ‘em) this appears to be a well-calculated move for the chef who is scouting West Loop and River North locations for a possible restaurant opening next year. more ›

Mayor Daley plans to dress up – the city, that is. Already known for its dining, architecture, theater and lately film, Daley is hoping Chicago soon makes its mark on the fashion industry. On Sunday, the Tribune reported the city hired a fashion czar. A former lawyer, Melissa Turner was selected to serve as Chicago’s first fashion director. Her mission: revive Chicago’s fashion community and keep talented designers smack in the Midwest, rather than jetting... more ›

Federated Department Stores is in a tug of war with Target Corp. over yet another piece of Chicago history. Only this time, we’re siding with Federated. The dispute is over a 60-year old painting (entitled "Clock Mender") by Norman Rockwell, which appeared on the Nov. 3, 1945 issue of the Saturday Evening Post. more ›

In a last move of a will they/won't they worthy of your favorite TV drama, Federated Department Stores, Inc. has finally made it clear they are cutting ties with the Marshall Field's name.
more ›

Back in September, Federated Department Stores royally pissed everyone in Chicago off by saying that they'd be changing the name of all Marshall Field's stores to Macy's, including everyone's favorite, the flagship on State Street. But now, after some brisk holiday sales, they're thinking that maybe Marshall Field's isn't such a bad name. The money they raked in spoke to them saying, "Hey, listen to what everyone's been telling you. The store is both an icon and a tourist destination. If you change the name to Macy's then it's no longer either." Or something like that. more ›

Just noticed the Trib has a breaking news story - In the fall of next year, all Marshall Field's stores will convert to Macy's. This includes all 62 locations in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Indiana, Ohio and SD. So.. Marshall Fields on State St. becomes Macy's on State. Federated, who bought the May chain that Marshall Field's is a part of, says that they respect the legacy and traditions of Field's and that... more ›

Fans of Marshall Field’s might want to get their shopping done this weekend as there’s no telling how much longer the name will remain. On Wednesday, shareholders of Federated Stores, Inc. voted to approve the takeover of May Co., parent of Marshall Field’s stores. We’ve been following this story but we weren’t too concerned that anyone would think changing a 124 year-old Chicago institution would be a smart idea. But comments by Federated’s CEO Terry... more ›

Continuing the recent trend of selling off our middle-tier department stores located on State Street, Saks Inc. is reportedly trying to dump it's chain of Carson Pirie Scott stores. Analysts are saying that Saks would rather concentrate on its higher-end Saks Fifth Avenue stores. more ›

In January, Chicagoist posted that Federated Department Stores was thinking about buying May Department Stores and thanks to a tip last night (thanks, Jasmine!) we found out it's a done deal. more ›

Two years ago Federated Department Stores (Macy's, Bloomingdale's) and May Department Stores (Marshall Field's, Lord & Taylor, Filene's, Robinsons May) talked about merging but it didn't work out. Now they're talking about it again. more ›